published: 2007-03-02 |
What advice would you give us as priests, who are members of the movements, to help us develop our ministry as a service toward unity?A question to the Holy Father from a Schoenstatt Father – two rules as a response |
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ROME, Fr. Gerardo Cárcar/mkf News published in Zenith in various languages traveled the world on February 23rd: The Holy Father, Benedict XVI, during a meeting with the priests of his Rome Diocese, responded in a full and profound sense to a question from some of the priests present on the position of the movements in the Church. He highlighted two rules: "Do not extinguish the charisms" and "The Church is One." The author of the question was Father Gerardo Cárcar, a Schoenstatt Father from Argentina. He arrived in Rome six months ago taking a pastoral appointment as cooperating Vicar of the parish, San Jerónimo in Corviale. Father Gerardo Cárcar sent Schoenstatt.de the complete text of his presentation and relates how he experienced that moment of dialog with the Holy Father. Father Gerardo, what meeting is this and what is so specific about this meeting? Last Thursday, February 22nd, approximately one thousand priests who work in different ministries in the diocese of Rome, met with the Holy Father, Cardinal Ruini, and the auxiliary bishops in the Hall of Blessing (above the St. Peter portico where the window is from which is proclaimed, for example, the name of the Pope and canonized saints. This is an annual meeting where the bishop of Rome meets with his priests. He asks them to share with him their joys, to ask questions, and to present the problems they have observed in their ministries. The dynamics of the meeting allows those who wish to do so, to approach the microphone and to make their presentations. Then the Holy Father gives a a specific reflection. What was the concrete topic of your presentation? During this past week, I was reading about a topic, which according to my understanding requires maturity, not only on behalf of the bishops and pastors, but also on our part, that is, the members of the Movements. On Ash Wednesday I was writing my thoughts and my questions which were diligently corrected by Fr. Ludovico and by Don Marco, the parochial vicar of my parish. I asked the Blessed Mother to allow me to pose my questions to the Pope, not as the first person and not too far down the line. Really, I wanted to be fourth. She answered my prayer! I presented the following to the Holy Father: On different occasions you have spoken about the ecclesial movements and the new communities
Naturally, difficulties come forth; these bonds do not always come forth so harmoniously. For example, it has been spoken about
For that reason, as a new and recently arrived priest who has come to serve in your diocese in priestly ministry, I ask you: What advice would you give us – priests who are members of the movements – to help us develop our ministry as a service toward unity? And perhaps, what advice would you give me to help me be included positively and what contribution could I make? What did the Holy Father respond? The Pope was well disposed to listen to my question. He smiled at different times as did Cardinal Ruini, and he improvised an answer which I write here briefly from the notes I was able to take: Charisms are gifts of the Spirit: Even when they may be uncomfortable for the Church, as St Francis was also uncomfortable in his time. All centuries have had movements of religious renewal and have lived together with the local Churches and the institution of the Church but not without suffering and difficulty. The Church is one and if the movements are a true gift of the Holy Spirit, they should be patiently introduced into the life of the local Church. For example: the notes which were recently made on the Neocatechumenal Way. It showed signs that there are still several things to discern and to resolve. Attitudes everyone should have: gratitude, patience, acceptance of suffering in living together as should be done in matrimony. But the movements have a theological and pastoral place! "We give thanks to the Holy Spirit for the gifts we have been given – he concluded . Let us be obedient to the voice of the Spirit, but let us also be clear when it comes to integrating these elements in life: this criterion serves, in the end, the concrete Church and in this way, with patience, courage and generosity, the Lord will guide and help us." Translation: Carlos Cantú Family Federation La Feria, Texas USA 030707 |
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